Chapter 2 - The Financial Blackmail
I stared at my phone screen in absolute disbelief.
Margaret was a silent partner in Daniel's architectural firm, a mistake we made early in our marriage.
She had full administrative access to our primary business and personal financial accounts.
I rushed inside the house, locked the heavy deadbolt, and opened my banking application.
Bright red error messages flashed across the screen, confirming that our balance was entirely locked.
We had exactly zero dollars available to buy groceries, pay our mortgage, or hire a lawyer.
I quickly tucked Lily into her bed, promising her that tomorrow would be a much better day.
I paced the living room floor, waiting anxiously for Daniel to return from his mother's house.
The front door finally swung open, and Daniel walked in looking completely exhausted and defeated.
His knuckles were bruised, and his expensive suit jacket was torn at the shoulder.
He collapsed onto the sofa and buried his face in his trembling hands.
I sat next to him and gently asked what had happened at the estate.
Daniel explained that he had physically fought his brother Mark to get inside the house.
He demanded that his mother release our accounts and apologize to Lily immediately.
Margaret had simply laughed in his face and handed him a manila envelope.
Daniel reached into his torn jacket pocket and pulled out that exact same envelope.
He tossed it onto the glass coffee table, refusing to even look at it.
I slowly reached for the heavy paper and pulled out a stack of official medical documents.
It was a certified DNA test from a prestigious local clinic.
The document legally stated that Daniel had a zero percent chance of being Lily's biological father.
I looked at my husband, completely terrified that he might actually believe her twisted lie.
Daniel looked me dead in the eyes and told me he knew the document was a complete forgery.
I let out a massive sigh of relief, but my comfort was incredibly short-lived.
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Daniel's phone suddenly rang with an automated message from the local police department.
Margaret had just pressed formal assault charges against him for the fight with Mark.
